‘Women retain the right to say no’: Russell Brand judge’s powerful sentencing speech in full

Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The 51-year-old was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after being found guilty of offences against four women between 2004 and 2009. The jury convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial.

Via James Veysey/Shutterstock

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Bennathan delivered a powerful speech in which he described Brand as a “sexual predator” who had shown “staggering arrogance” and told a “series of lies”.

The judge said Brand had once been “clever” and, in the eyes of many, “funny and charismatic”, but explained that his growing fame had helped shield him from consequences for his behaviour.

He said Brand believed his celebrity status meant he could behave however he wanted, without having to follow the same rules as everyone else.

In one particularly striking part of his speech, Mr Justice Bennathan addressed the idea that a woman’s clothing, decisions or alcohol consumption could somehow affect her right to refuse sex.

He said: “Whatever ⁠women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators ​like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent.”

The judge also paid tribute to the women who came forward, praising their “determination and bravery” despite having to face allegations that they had lied, distorted the truth or consented to Brand’s demands.

Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison following his conviction for rape and sexual assault. During a sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London, Justice Joel Bennathan handed down the custodial sentence, describing the 51-year-old comedian and actor as a “sexual predator” who acted with “staggering arrogance” and casual disregard for women. The sentence comprises nine years for the rape charge and an additional 18 months total across three counts of sexual assault.

— Alma Gentil (@Chinoy200096633) November 9, 2026

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He said he was not increasing Brand’s sentence because of this, but made clear that the way the women had been treated during the proceedings was a result of Brand’s actions and instructions.

Here is Mr Justice Bennathan’s full sentencing speech:

“About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous. You were clever and, in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator. Your status protected you until 2023 when journalists collected and published the allegations that were broadcast as a Channel 4 documentary and in articles in the Times newspapers. Those public declarations that you were a sex offender empowered a number of women to come forward and tell their stories of your activities many years before. I now have to sentence you for the crimes you committed against four women between 2004 and 2009.

In your trial I saw both women give evidence at length. They were both accomplished women who took perfectly reasonable decisions to go to a party and have a few drinks, or to go to your house for one type of consensual sex. They were no more or less vulnerable than any adult woman making those choices. I pause to add and stress at once, the fact they did so in no way shape or form diminishes your culpability for sexually assaulting one and raping the other.

Whatever women wear, wherever they go, indeed whatever they drink, they retain the right to say no and to demand justice from the criminal courts when sexual predators like you, Russell Brand, act without their consent.

Before passing sentence, I pause to pay tribute to the determination and bravery of all the women whose evidence I have been recounting. I do not increase your punishment because of it, but all those women had to face being confronted and being told they had lied, or twisted the truth and, or, they had agreed to your sexual demands: that was all done because of you, on your instructions. I also commend the Metropolitan Police for their hard work in gathering evidence.”

Brand will serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison before being released on licence. This means he will remain subject to conditions after his release and could be recalled to custody if he breaches them.

He will also be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

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Featured image via James Veysey/Shutterstock